Rapha was established in 2004 to celebrate and promote cycling. Initially we did this by producing high quality road cycling clothing showcased in inspiring photography and stories. Since then, the company has expanded into many more product categories and established a thriving global community of cyclists. Rapha is fiercely ambitious about cycling, and we strive to see it become the most popular sport in the world.

Earlier this year Rapha launched the Roadmap, an extensive report into the state of professional cycling. This followed a two-year research project that investigated how the 'shop window' of cycling – that is, the professional sport – could be made more exciting and more valuable. The recommendations in the Roadmap now guide all of Rapha's investments, starting with a new approach to team sponsorship and now with the launch of our charitable Foundation, focused on the grassroots of the sport.

The Rapha Foundation's mission is to build a better future for the sport of cycling by inspiring, empowering and supporting the next generation of racers. We will provide direct funding to grassroots and not for profit organisations that introduce under-served audiences to the sport. We will champion these organisations and take aspiring racers on a journey from their local park to podiums at the top of the sport. We will do this all over the world.

Funding outlines

We fund

Mission aligned institutions

Applicants must be able to demonstrate their alignment with the mission and vision of the Rapha Foundation, as well as their broader commitment to advancing cycling within their work.

Registered charities

US-based applicants must be Section 501(c)(3) public charities. Non-US organizations may apply as a project of a US-based fiscal sponsor that is a 501(c)(3) public charity, or a non-US organization that is the equivalent of a US 501(c)(3) public charity.

We do not fund

 

Individuals

 

The foundation is unable to make grants directly to individuals.

Unsolicited proposals

 

Staff strive to identify mission-aligned organizations, and thus do not accept unsolicited proposals. However, if you would like to nominate an organization you believe is a fit or if you are an organization that would like to get on our radar and have mission alignment, please complete the following form.

Where we fund

Acknowledging the global footprint of cycling, the Rapha Foundation will support eligible charitable organizations based in and supporting communities in Asia/Pacific, the European Union, the United Kingdom and the United States.

How to apply

The Rapha Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals. Staff strive to identify mission-aligned organizations, and thus do not accept unsolicited proposals.

However, if you would like to nominate an organization you believe is a fit or if you are an organization that would like to get on our radar and have mission alignment, please complete the following form.

Invited applicants will be asked to submit a proposal for funding of up to three years, with a maximum total request of $150,000.

Legal overview

The Rapha Foundation is a donor advised fund at an independent US-based charitable organization. All grants are subject to the organization’s grantmaking guidelines and US rules and regulations for charitable donations (which apply to both domestic and international organizations.

Recipients